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After losing their OHL team in 2002, North Bay is rewarded in the return of the 'O'

Less than 10 years after winning the Robertson Cup in the OHL final in 1994, the North Bay Centennials were moved to Michigan and became the Saginaw Spirit.

Players sign a t-shirt commemorating their Eastern Conference championship to be given out during game for of the OHL final. (All Photos - Steve Russell)

By Steve Russell | Staff Photographer | @RussellPhotos

Sat., May 10, 2014

When the Brampton Battalion were looking for a new home, North Bay stepped up selling 2000 season tickets quickly, sealing the return of the OHL to North Bay.

Making up for the bitter feeling of the Centennials left, the Battalion made an impressive playoff run, winning the Bobby Orr Cup as the Eastern Conference champion before dropping the OHL final 4 games to 1 against the Guelph Storm.

The Robertson Cup, on display outside the arena, sports the names of the 1994 North Bay Centennials who won the OHL championship.

Three hours before the game the first fan shows up to the North Bay equivalent of Maple Leaf Square outside the arena.

A band plays the North Bay equivalent of Maple Leaf Square outside the arena.

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Fan Paul Pruneau buys a beer at the tailgate party outside the arena.

Paul Pruneau, shows up to the North Bay equivalent of Maple Leaf Square, with his DIY helmet that has a remote controller that spins the turret.

Young fans read the names of the 1994 North Bay Centennials on the The Robertson Cup.

Playoff tickets are scanned, the last time North Bay was in the OHL playoffs was in 2002, they lost in the first round to St. Michael's Majors.

Fans watch as the North Bay Battalion begin their warm ups for game three in the concourse under the stands.

Dylan Blujus waits to take to the ice for warmups prior to game three.

The North Bay Battalion take to the ice, they would lose game three of the OHL Robertson Cup Final.

Battalion goaltender Jake Smith stops Kerby Rychel in close.

A fan cheers as the Battalion score in game three.

Nick Paul levels Chadd Bauman in game three.

Late in the game a fan cheers the Battalion.

The Storm celebrate the game winning goal with 10.7 seconds left on the clock as the North Bay Battalion lose game three of the OHL Robertson Cup Final to the Guelph Storm.

Young fans console the players as they leave the ice as the North Bay Battalion lose game three of the OHL Robertson Cup Final after leading the game for 59 minutes.

The North Bay Battalion hope for some divine intervention for game four.

A North Bay Battalion player warms up in the concourse before the game.

Kyle Wood poses with a fan as he tapes his stick before game four.

Kyle Wood signs an autograph for a fan before the game.

Connor Jarvis waits with fans for the warm-up to start.

Battalion Mascot Sarge holds a flag with the number 7 on it, representing the seventh man, the fans.

The Battalion and their fans stand for the national anthem as the North Bay Battalion prepare to play game four.

Season ticket holder Bobby McIntyre enjoys going from section to section throughout the game to lead cheers.

Scott Kosmachuk slips the puck past Jake Smith.

Paul Pruneau sounds the charge as the North Bay Battalion fall behind early.

Players take to the ice prior to the start of the second period with the home tem down by three.

The game begins to slip away for the North Bay Battalion.

Lights out, fans watch from standing room as the game slips away.

Tyler Bertuzzi beats Jake Smith in close.

Fans watch as the Geulph Storm pile up the score against as the North Bay Battalion.

Down by nine, a fan cheers as the Battalion break up the shutout.

After losing 10-1, fans look stunned as the North Bay Battalion lose game four of the OHL Robertson Cup Final to the Guelph Storm.

A fan walks the rows of seats after the game as the North Bay Battalion lose game four 10-1 of the OHL Robertson Cup Final to the Guelph Storm and fall behind 3-1 in games.

A "Don't Stop Believin'" sign is left behind after the game as the North Bay Battalion lost game four of the OHL Robertson Cup Final to the Guelph Storm. Turns out the fan would not need it for game six. The Storm won the series with a 4-3 come from behind win in game five.

A member of the media watches a post-game interview on the big screen.

Most local businesses got behind the Battalion as they make the OHL final. The end.

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